Novell developer Michael Meeks has warned of an increasing imbalance in the OpenOffice.org Project. His concerns: too few developers, inadequate code maintenance and the gradual withdrawal of companies like Sun.

In his blog, Meeks comes to some bitter conclusions regarding OpenOffice.org. Measured on downloads alone, the success of the project is obvious. But this is not the case when one looks at development and improvements, says Meeks. The code is bloated and poorly maintained, and he criticizes the difficulties developers have getting their snippets of code up-stream, which has many so frustrated they simply leave their codes in patches attached to bugs in the issue tracker.

To illustrate his misgivings, Meeks has produced graphics created using scripts from the project's version control system. These clearly show how far Sun has withdrawn from the project, with no other company jumping in to fill the gaps. In 2004, OpenOffice.org hit a highpoint with 70 developers. It's been all downhill since.

According to Meeks graphic, the number of developers at Open Office is sinking.

For Meeks, all is not well at OpenOffice.org. In his opinion, distancing the project from Sun (including the license conditions) would be one step on the road to recovery. Abolishment of the "political system" within the project, would be another. Meeks wants "developers in the driving seat", and he appeals for developer contributions. Meeks ensures us he is voicing his own opinion and not that of Novell or others.

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Free office solution OpenOffice.org is still in the best of shape, based on reactions from project members to Novell developer Michael Meeks's recent pessimistic view. The Linux Foundation is one of many who are concerned. All want one thing: more.